BikeBUDi is really easy – and totally free to use. If you want some company on your bike ride (whether that’s to work or just for fun), the system matches you up with others going the same route, so you can ride together.”

Cycling with someone more experienced is a good idea, but there are not many takers for organised buddy schemes. It seems people are reluctant to take such help (genuinely offered) because they think they might be ‘too slow’.

This site was partly inspired by the idea of Bike Fridays – organised rides from the outskirts of a town/city to the centre. Inevitably this only appeals to a tiny number of people.